Gabriella Agius, Qrendi
Reform will improve patient care
The document launched by the government a few days ago on Primary Health Care is a long-awaited initiative for the country. As a patient who has been seeing the same doctor since the day I was born, I am really glad that this doctor will be given the opportunity to see directly my personal medical records and to order tests that he deems necessary for my well-being. Continual care is best done by our own personal doctors who have seen us change, grow and develop. For persons like me who have always had the privilege of a family doctor who has been there for all my family in times of need, this reform can only be commended.
The idea that the system will cater for both the health and community care of the population is important. Today community care should be emphasised more if we really want to ensure that we have a strong and healthy population. I for one, as suggested above, would have no problem registering with my doctor as he has been tried and tested and he already is my point of reference for all the issues that concern my health needs.
It is extremely praiseworthy that my doctor will now be my gatekeeper for services that he deems necessary for my secondary care and would have the responsibility to liaise with specialists at secondary level. This communication between my doctor and secondary sectors will continuously ensure that I receive continuous care by both my doctor and the specialist.
I have read that one of the problems is that the document insists that doctors should be on call 24 hours a day. Whenever health complications have arisen throughout the night my doctor has always been there to answer my telephone calls and when necessary make the extra trip to come and check the problem.
If your family doctor does not provide the necessary service you require, then use the rules of the market and change practitioner. The idea of group practices is interesting though it would necessitate certain changes in mentality that may take time to materialise.
I congratulate the government and the Parliamentary Secretary of Health, in particular, for having the courage to propose an interesting reform that was certain to create some worries. The government should be applauded for not shying away from taking decisions that might not always be liked but that are necessary for the well-being of the population.
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R Axisa
Jan 11th 2010, 22:55
What will happen if a person does not have one GP, but uses the services of 2 or even 3 doctors? At times, it's impossible to get hold of a doctor, sometimes, being even abroad. I know persons who make use of different GPs, depending on their availability. It is impossible to always make use of the same family doctor, may be he/she is not available when the need arises.
Galea. L
Jan 11th 2010, 14:40
D. Attard
Be honest and answer these questions Attard.
The reform means that you have to go to your registered doctor to be sent to a polyclinic or hospital. Are you going to pay him?
You get your results from your doctor. Do you pay him to give you the results?
Will any doctor with whom you are registered work for free?
In these cases, can you still say that the health services are still free paid through our taxes)?
M. Debono
Jan 11th 2010, 13:51
@ Gabriella Agius
As a person who always used your family doctor i.e. always paid for your health needs, this reform will be of benefit to you. However you are missing 2 major points here.
1. Not all patient's can afford a private GP
2. You are demanding that all GPs work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Try it yourself. It's like having a baby, every night you have to wake up at least once. It is not healthy for the GP's health to say the least as everybody needs his rest - and if someone is tired he can easily make a mistake.
Peter Murray
Jan 11th 2010, 13:00
Here,here Mr.Galea.Whilst some proposals in the health reform are commendable the vast majority are nothing more than an insidious hidden agenda in onpassing costs onto the over-burdened taxpayer and furthermore,massively increasing the workload and patient profile of our already overwhelmed family doctors.
D. Attard
Jan 11th 2010, 12:24
Mr. L. Galea seems to be another person who is brainwashed to listen to the same rhetoric on some radio or tv station withjout thinking for himself. WIthout reading the document the person just mentions the same comments we have been hearing on the media.. The document is meant to provide changes in the Primary Health care System which no doubt needs to be changed. Like everything else obviously this is not perfect and that is why it was called a consultation. Would be more interesting if in this blog we could find some serious comments and what could be arranged to ensure that we have proper Primary Care on the Island. Well done to the Government for tackling this sector that without a doubt needs a serious reform
Galea. L
Jan 11th 2010, 10:37
The proposed reform is nothing except a way to make the people pay for the health system when the PN and Gonzi himself promised that the health system will remain free. Actually it is not free because we pay for it through OUR taxes especially the 20% increase in VAT which was to provide for the running of Mater Dejn and the health system.
Can anyone believe Gonzi and the PN any longer?